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Your Hometown News Source
Santa Claus, with help from an enthusiastic Mrs. Claus, held court in the Festival of Trees location on Main Street, here hearing the Christmas wishes of two youngsters, Lander Eastup, 9, left, and brother Liam Eastup, 6, right, of Walla Walla.
This hardy bunch of Ugly Sweater Dashers took off on the Christmas Kickoff's opening event, passing under the stoic gazes of the new Nutcrackers at the Columbia County Courthouse. Nearly three dozen took part in the 5k run, sponsored by the Backroads Club through the streets and over the sidewalks of downtown Dayton.
Doug Kreuger and Company delighted visitors to Dayton with mule-drawn wagon rides. Demand was such that a second wagon was pressed into service to cut down time people waited in line in the chilly temperatures.
Nearly three dozen runners and walkers-the two- and four-legged variety-turned out for the Ugly Sweater Dash and gathered on the Courthouse steps prior to the start of the noncompetitive run-walk. Who had the ugliest Christmas sweater? Hmmmm....
Many remembered the Reason for the Season with this live Nativity behind Dingle's of Dayton.
Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas and Mrs. Claus
Friends of the Fairgrounds were bundled up against the cold but enjoying their prime spot on Main Street raising funds by selling holiday swags.
Dingle's of Dayton was a busy store Christmas Kickoff weekend.
DAYTON–Despite crackling cold, folks ventured to Dayton last Friday and Saturday to enjoy the community's Christmas Kickoff and all that goes with it: shopping, smiles and laughter, the Bethlehem creche, chilly mule-drawn wagon rides, a festive lighted parade and glittering fireworks.
"I thought we had a great turnout, despite the cold weather on Friday," commented Molly Weatherill-Tate, manager of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event.
"The Festival of Trees brought in 515 people on Friday, 130 on Saturday and 65 on Ladies Night Out on Monday," said Weatherill-Tate. "I was wowed by the amount of donations ($1,180) photos with Santa brought in. The hayrides were full for most rides on Friday and Saturday.
"We brought in the extra wagon with horses on Friday so people wouldn't have to wait in line," she added. "And I was pleased with attendance for the lighted parade, Christmas tree lighting and fireworks show."
Shops up and down Dayton's Main Street enjoyed brisk business, and shoppers chattered happily as holiday music provided a backdrop of holiday spirit.
"People were walking through the doors all day -- it was warm and golden inside the gallery, a relief from the biting cold outside," commented Carolyn Henderson of the activities at the Wenaha Gallery. "Inside, our three featured artists were kept busy all afternoon chatting with people, answering questions about their art, and doing a brisk business of selling it. Savonnah's artisan treats were, as usual, a tremendous hit, and in between ringing up sales and answering people's questions, gallery staff was constantly stocking cookies, cupcakes, and punch."
